We’re writing to raise urgent concerns about the impact of current fuel price increases and supply uncertainty on disability support services, and call on the government to include providers and workers in their response, on behalf of the New Zealand Disability Support Network and our members across Aotearoa.
Disability support providers deliver essential frontline services, enabling disabled people to live with dignity, independence and connection in their communities. These services aren’t optional, but critical to the health, safety and wellbeing of thousands of New Zealanders and their whānau.
Fuel is fundamental to how these services are delivered.
Across the country, support workers travel between homes, accompany people to appointments and enable participation in community life. For many providers, particularly those delivering home and community-based services, fuel is a core and unavoidable cost of care.
This sharp increase in fuel prices is creating immediate and compounding pressures on the sector and the people they support.
Providers are facing significant increases in operating costs, with no ability to adjust pricing under fixed government contracts. At the same time, support workers, many of whom are on modest wages, are now bearing higher costs simply to get to and from work, or to travel between the people they support. This places additional strain on a workforce already under pressure and risks further instability, particularly in rural and regional communities.
Without intervention, these pressures will flow directly through to service delivery.
There’s a real risk that providers will be forced to reduce non-essential travel, limit community participation or absorb unsustainable financial losses. Ultimately, this impacts disabled people and their ability to live ordinary lives.
We acknowledge the Government’s announcement of a $50 petroleum subsidy.
However, for this to be effective in our sector, it must be passed through to community-based workers who are directly incurring increased fuel costs as part of their roles. Without this, the intended relief will not reach those most affected.
We are also calling for community-based disability support services to be formally recognised and included on the critical fuel customers list. These services are essential to maintaining the health, safety and wellbeing of disabled people, and must be prioritised in any fuel allocation or rationing response.
More broadly, the current situation highlights the need for greater recognition of fuel and travel as core cost drivers in disability support services. We’re seeking urgent engagement with Government to consider practical responses, including:
- Short-term funding adjustments to reflect increased fuel costs
- Mechanisms to ensure cost pressures can be responded to in a timely way
- Recognition of regional and rural cost impacts
- Longer-term approaches to sustainable pricing that reflect the real cost of delivering care and support
Our members are playing their part by activating business continuity planning and prioritising essential services. However, there are limits to what providers can absorb without impacting the people they support.
This is a critical moment.
Disability support services are a vital part of New Zealand’s social infrastructure. Ensuring their continuity, particularly in times of disruption, must be a priority.
NZDSN stands ready to work constructively with Government to identify practical, proportionate solutions that support providers, protect the workforce, and ensure disabled people continue to receive the support they need.
We welcome urgent engagement on this matter.
Debbie Hughes
CEO, New Zealand Disability Support Network